Beyond Junie B. - Intermediate Series With Spunky Female Characters

"My daughter loves the Junie B. Jones series, but she just read the last one and I have no idea what else to get for her!"   I hear some version of this lament from parents fairly frequently at the library where I work. Junie B. Jones is a staple in classrooms and school libraries across the country, and is often one of the first chapter book series young kids get hooked on. They are really drawn to the spunky, outspoken character of Junie B. whose voice is authentically child-like (improper grammar and all), who says and does the things they think, but might not dare to do. 

If you have a child who has read all of Junie B. and wants something similar, try some of these series, which all feature spunky young female characters (ranging in age from 5 to 9) with quirky personalities dealing with everyday problems all young children can relate to, like school, making friends, sibling rivalry, change, jealousy, etc.

Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren, 1950, 158 pages, ages 5-10.

I have to start with my childhood favorite spunky, quirky girl, Pippi Longstocking! This series does differ from all the others in that it is not truly realistic and is more silly and non-sensical. Nine-year old Pippi lives alone with her horse and her monkey (her mother is in heaven and her father lost at sea). She is unusually strong, very eccentric, smart, and self-sufficient, but often finds herself in the middle of unusual situations and adventures, with her friends Tommy and Annika.

There are several Pippi stories, and several different versions have been published over the years, using different translators and illustrators.

Uh-Oh, Cleo by Jessica Harper, illustrated by Jon Berkeley, 2008-2010, 65 pages, ages 6-8.

Eight-year old Cleo and her twin brother Jack are part of a large family with the ironic last name of "Small". There are six children altogether, including two sets of twins! But being a twin is not the only think that stands out about Cleo; she also has the uncanny knack for finding herself in the middle of one mishap after another.

In the first book she has to get stitches, in the second the family gets caught in a freak August snowstorm, and in the third she barfs on her friend's mom!

Violet Mackerel by Anna Branford, illustrated by Elanna Allen, 2010-2015, 112 pages, ages 6-10.

Violet Mackerel is more sweet and charming than spunky, but she deals with problems by thinking outside the box to come up with possible solutions rather than whining or dwelling on them, with some creative and imaginative ideas.

Each book is short and focused on one particular problem, some small, like how to get the trinket she likes at the market; others are big, such as having have her tonsils out or having to move when her mother re-marries. There are a total of 8 books in the series.

Amber Brown by Paula Danziger, (later by Bruce Coville & Elizabeth Levy) illustrated by Tony Ross (later by Anthony Lewis), 1994-2004, 2012-2014, 100-200 pages, ages 5-10.

Amber Brown is a very spunky 9-year old whose parents are divorcing and best friend is moving away. While these books are short with a lower reading level and large print, they deal with some more serious issues at times, such as divorce, a parent moving far away, friends moving away, jealousy, parents dating and getting re-married, growing up and all the changes that come with it.

There are 12 books in the series, with the last three being written after the death of the original author.  A good hi-lo series for reluctant readers, but the reading level would be too low for many 9-10 year olds.

Dory Fantasmagory by Abby Hanlon, 2014, 160 pages, ages 6-8.

Six-year old Dory, otherwise known as Rascal, is a little girl with a very BIG imagination! She tries to play with her older brother and sister, but they tell her she acts too babyish. Her imaginings begin to wear on everyone's nerves, and her siblings concoct a plan to scare her straight, which totally backfires.

I love the primitive illustrations that almost look like a child drew them. The second book is due out June 7th, with the third to follow this fall (of 2016).

Lola Levine by Monica Brown, illustrated by Angela N. Dominguez, 2015-present, 96 pages, ages 5-9.

Second-grader Lola Levine is a soccer star, until one day she accidentally hurts a classmate during a match and everyone thinks she did it on purpose. In the second book she deals with stage fright after being cast in the class play, and in the upcoming third book, she learns about getting along with others.

Lola also happens to be from a multi-cultural family, with a Jewish father and a Peruvian mother, so there are several references to both cultures throughout the books. The second book was released in January of 2016, with the third book due out in July of 2016.

Lulu by Hilary McKay, 2011-2014, 100 pages, ages 7-10.

Lulu is in Class 3 with her cousin and best friend, Mellie. Mellie is known for losing things, while Lulu is known for jumping out of swings, but most of all for her love of animals. Fortunately her parents are okay with all the pets she brings home as long as she takes care of them. In the first book, she rescues a duck egg from getting smashed and returns the duckling to its mother.

There are six books in the series, each story featuring a different kind of animal in need:  duck, dog, cat, rabbit, hedgehog, and hamster.

Ruby Lu by Lenore Look, illustrated by Anne Wilsdorf & Stef Choi, 2004-2011, 112-176 pages, ages 6-10.

Ruby Lu is an almost-eight-year old Chinese-American girl who loves putting on magic shows, her little brother Oscar (well, most of the time), and her best friends Emma, Tiger, and Ruby. In the first story we meet Ruby and her family and friends, and see the ups and downs in her relationship with her brother. She also deals with a bully, learns to drive, and starts Chinese school. 

In the second book she has to adjust to having her recently-emigrated cousin living with her, and in the third book her parents reverse roles after her father loses his job. There is also a glossary at the end to explain some of the Chinese words and cultural references.

Just Grace by Charise Mericle Harper, 2007-2015, 136-208 pages, ages 6-9.

Eight-year old Grace Stewart came by the unfortunate nickname "Just Grace" because there were 4 girls named Grace in her class and she didn't want to go by "Grace S." She loves cats and heroes, and secretly writes her own "Not So Super" comic strip. Her small superpower is being able to tell when people are sad, even when they try to hide it. She is often moved to try to help people, but her good intentions sometimes backfire. Grace also has a knack for describing situations and grown-ups in a way that is humorously spot-on. There are currently 12 books in the series.

Judy Moody by Megan McDonald & illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds, 2000-2014, 176-208 pages, ages 6-9.

This 12-book series begins with Judy in a very bad mood as she starts third grade, not looking forward to change and having to adjust to a new teacher, new classroom, and new classmates. But, things begin to look up as she and her best friend Rocky work on their projects, and she makes new friends.

There is also a series about Judy's younger brother Stink, and another series about their adventures together.

Amelia Bedelia Chapter Books, by Herman Parrish & illustrated by Lynne Avril, 2013-present, 160 pages, ages 6-10.

Amelia Bedelia has been a favorite of young children for 50 years. Now independent readers can continue to enjoy the fun in a relatively new chapter book series by the nephew of the original Amelia Bedelia author, Peggy Parrish. 

In this series Amelia is a young girl, dealing with the same everyday problems as all kids, which are humorously complicated by her inability to recognize idiomatic expressions and taking everything literally. I particularly like how there is a list of the idioms from the story at the end, with their meanings. There are currently 9 books in the series, with the 10th due out in July of 2016.

Ivy + Bean by Annie Barrows & illustrated by Sophie Blackall, 2007-2014, 120-136 pages, ages 7-12.

With Ivy + Bean you get two spunky girls for the price of one!  Ivy and Bean have very different personalities and at first they have no interest in the other, but once they meet they find opposites attract and become best friends.

There are 10 books in this series, and this is a good series to grow with, as the suggested age range changes from 7-9 with the first book to 8-12 by the last book.

Frankly, Frannie by A. J. Stern, 2010-2012, 128 pages, ages 6-8.

Frannie Miller is a very ambitious young lady with lots of enthusiasm, but who is sometimes lacking in good judgement. She is eager to have a career and work in an office, and already has her resume and business cards all ready. Unfortunately, her enthusiasm and eagerness to prove how capable she is often gets her into trouble when she misreads situations and tries to take on adult responsibilities.

There are nine books in this series, with each exploring a different career interest of Frannie's.

Nancy Clancy by Jane O'Connor & illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser, 2012-present, 128 pages, ages 6-10.

Another popular picture book character continues as a chapter books series. Nancy Clancy is now a third grader and, while still stylish, has toned down her fanciness slightly. In the first book she and best friend Bree solve a mystery just like their favorite book character, Nancy Drew. In the following books Nancy deals with everything from secret admirers to playing soccer.

There are currently 6 books in the series, with the 7th due out in a matter of days (June 7th, 2016).

Clementine by Sara Pennypacker, illustrated by Marla Frazee, 2006-2015, 143-192 pages, ages 7-10.

Poor Clementine manages to get herself into all kinds of trouble, but she only has the best of intentions and is very misunderstood. She also doesn't like being named after a fruit, and insists that it's only fair that she call her little brother vegetable names, like "Broccoli" and "Rutabaga". Kids will find Clementine entertaining and relate-able.

There are 7 books in the Clementine series, but she will make an occasional appearance in the Waylon spin-off series debuting in 2016.

Clarice Bean by Lauren Child, 1999-2006, 208-252 pages, ages 8-12.

Clarice Bean is a young girl who loves to say the word "utterly", is obsessed with the Ruby Redfort books about a young girl who is a secret agent, and is always caught daydreaming by her teacher. She confronts typical problems kids deal with everyday at home and at school.  

There are seven books in the Clarice Bean series, which spawned a real-life incarnation of the fictional Ruby Redfort series Clarice is obsessed with in 2011, with 5 books currently published.

Mallory McDonald by Laurie Friedman, illustrated by Tamara Schmitz, 2004-present, 150-175 pages, ages, 7-10.

Mallory McDonald is a spirited 8-year old girl who loves to tell jokes, much to her older brother Max's embarrassment. She has a cat named Cheeseburger, lives next door to her best friend Mary Ann, and thinks life is almost perfect. Until her parents announce they are moving 3 hours away!  

Mallory adjust to moving, makes new friends and deals with all the typical problems young girls face with school, family, friends, and change. There are currently 25 books in the series.

Piper Reed by Kimberly Willis Holt, illustrated by Christine Davenier, 2007-2012,160 pages, ages 8-11.

Nine-year old Piper Reed is spunky and resilient; you have to be when you're part of a military family and move every couple of years. But Piper has never minded, and embraces being a Navy family, even calling her father "Chief" rather than "Dad". But then they have to move during the school year for the first time, which makes even Piper upset. She also struggles with being the middle child and having dyslexia.

The 5-book series begins with the family's latest move, and follows Piper and she adjusts to her new home and makes new friends; children of military families would find Piper particularly relate-able.

Ramona Quimby by Beverly Cleary, 1955-1999, 160-240 pages, ages 8-12.

Of course we can't forget the other classic spunky little girl, Ramona. Ramona is a very energetic, curious, imaginative, and strong-willed girl who frequently gets on peoples nerves, particular her older sister Beezus, and sometimes finds herself in trouble.

Ramona first makes an appearance in the Henry Huggins series, then takes a larger role as a 4-year old in Beezus And Ramona before continuing in her own series.There are 8 books in the series, and Ramona ages and matures as the series progresses, turning 10 by the end of the last book.  A great series to grow with.

These last two are not part of a series (though the first is a spin-off from one), but they are both classics by well-known children's authors and feature a couple of independent girls who overcome difficulties and discover strengths they didn't know they had, and no list of spunky, quirky girls would be complete without them!

Otherwise Known As Sheila the Great by Judy Blume, 1972, 160 pages, ages 8-12.

Sheila Tubman secretly has many fears; she is afraid of spiders, dogs, swimming, the dark, and more. She tries to hide her anxieties and over-compensates by projecting a slightly over-the-top persona that is brave, witty, and outgoing. In the story she must face one of her fears, and eventually overcomes it.

This book is a spin-off of Blume's beloved Fudge series. Sheila is a classmate and nemesis of Fudge's older brother Peter in the series; Peter makes an appearance in this story and a few references are made to him and his brother.

Matilda by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake, 1988, 240 pages, ages 8-12.

Matilda Wormwood is a very intelligent, precocious child who does not fit into the family she was born into. They do not share or appreciate her curiosity and intellect, and she must educate herself by reading everything she can from the library. Eventually they enroll her in a school, with a wonderful teacher, but a truly horrible headmistress. Matilda discovers talents she never knew she had, and saves everyone from the awful Trunchbull.

This book is a little different in that Matilda is a quiet, intellectual child, yet she is also very brave and stands up for herself and it incorporates a little bit of fantasy by giving Matilda telekinetic powers, whereas all the other books are realistic fiction.

Hopefully one or more of these will fill the void left by Junie B. Jones, but also encourage your young reader to explore other genres, perhaps a little historical fiction with the American Girl or I Survived... series, learn about the lives of real people with the Who Was/Is? biography series, some adventure with Gary Paulsen or Jean Craighead George, mysteries with Encyclopedia Brown or Nancy Drew, or fantasy with The Magic Treehouse series.  Happy Reading!

I subsequently came across one other series to add to this list:

Emma by Sally Warner, illustrated by Jamie Harper, 2005-2010, 98-144 pages, ages 8-12.

Third-grader Emma is an only child of divorced parents, who has recently had to move and start a new school. She is very interested in nature and science, and wants to be naturalist when she's older. In the first book, she has to deal with sharing her room and her mother's attention with 4-year old Anthony, who comes to stay with them for a week when his mother has a family emergency.

There are six books in the series, all dealing with typical third grade trials and tribulations, such as making new friends, arguing with friends, teasing and bullying, etc.

Reader's Advisory, Or What To Get My Niece For Her Birthday

So my niece's 9th birthday was this month, and I usually get my nieces and nephews books since I know they already have way too many toys, the boys don't care about clothes, and the girls (or their mothers) are very picky about clothes. 

This niece is the easiest to shop for, probably because we have very similar tastes in books, and she is a voracious reader, just like her favorite aunt. She is smart, reads above grade level, and her mother isn't too concerned about mature content. She appreciates the classics and has already read several, likes either historical or realistic fiction, and likes spunky female characters, as do many girls her age. She is the poor neglected middle child in a family of five children, and is overshadowed by both older and younger brothers, so I also look for books with characters who are beset with siblings, especially the male variety.

Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lingren.

Illustrated by Michael Chesworth and

Louis S. Glanzman, 2005. Puffin Books.

160 pages. Ages 8 - 12

The first book I thought of for her was a classic that I loved as a child, Pippi Longstocking by Swedish author Astrid Lindgren, first published (in English) in 1950. Since that time, many versions have been published using various translators and illustrators, so there are a few different editions out there with different illustrations and cover art. This is the edition I happened to buy.

Pippi is a very unusual little girl who also happens to be nine years old. She lives alone as her mother is an angel in heaven and her father is "cannibal king" (actually a sailor who is missing at sea), though she has her horse and monkey to keep her company. Pippi is unusually strong and very eccentric due to her very unusual childhood. She has her trademark red pigtails braided so tight they stick out, freckles, and a wardrobe of patched clothes, odd accessories and mis-matched stockings.

She is befriended by her new neighbors, Tommy and Annika, and together they have lots of fun and a few adventures. Pippi lives by her own rules, likes to tell tall tales, and though she sometimes inadvertently makes fools of and frustrates adults, she has a good heart, is never mean, and usually ends up a hero. There are two other full-length books, Pippi Goes On Board and Pippi In The South Seas, as well as some picture books and short stories based on excerpts from the longer books. Pippi Longstocking is a great, fun, silly story full of imagination, perfect for a quick summer read.

Since my niece has already read several classics, and I know her mother is already familiar with those and can get them for her, I wanted to pick something relatively new, in the historical fiction genre that might have a similar "feel" of the classics she's already read. I also wanted the second book to be a little longer and slightly more challenging than Pippi. I had a few ideas of my own, and got some great suggestions from colleagues as well. 

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by
Jacqueline Kelly, 2009. Henry Holt & Co.
352 pages, ages 9-12.

I finally decided on a 2010 Newbery honor book, The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly. This story is set in Texas at the turn of the previous century and tells the story of 11-year old Calpurnia Tate who is struggling with finding her identity as she enters adolescence, and is expected to take on traditional gender roles. To her mother's dismay, she is not very interested in "womanly" activities like cooking, baking, needlework, and housekeeping, but would rather spend her time outdoors, studying nature with her naturalist grandfather.

Over time, Calpurnia develops a close relationship with her grandfather as he nurtures and encourages her scientific exploration and education, giving her a copy of Darwin's Origin of Species and teaching her the scientific method, leading to the possible discovery of a new species. In addition to all this are all the typical issues 11-year old girls deals with, as well as dealing with six brothers.

I chose this book because of the historical setting, and I really liked the whole scientific exploration facet to the story, coming from a background in scientific research myself. I especially appreciated how each chapter begins with a quote from The Origin of Species. I also thought my niece would find some commiseration with Calpurnia since she has even more brothers than my niece. And as a bonus, there is a sequel titled The Curious World of Calpurnia Tate if she really enjoys this story.

She reportedly liked the books I chose for her last time ("Middle Grade Novels I Gave For Christmas"), so hopefully these will be a hit as well!

Mythology-Inspired Fiction For Younger Readers

Ten years ago, Rick Riordan's book Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief first hit bookshelves and was followed by the movie version four years later. This led to a surge of interest in mythology and mythology-inspired fiction. 

While many kids have heard about Percy Jackson and are interested in mythological fantasy as a result, there are many younger and/or reluctant readers who are not quite ready for Rick Riordan's books due to content, length, reading level, etc. Here is a list of lighter mythology-inspired series that are less challenging in length and/or reading level for younger readers, or those who prefer a quick and easy read with illustrations. These are listed in approximate order of length, from shortest to longest, but reading levels vary.

Joan Holub now has a series of board books based on the Greek myths called Mini Myths for the youngest of readers. I don't know if toddlers can really be mythology buffs, but their parents and siblings can!  

I think these books would be great for encouraging older siblings to spend time reading with their younger siblings, and a good way for very beginning readers to practice by reading to younger kids. Plus, these books use the myths to help promote things like patience, kindness, sharing, etc.

For those newly independent readers, Joan Holub has also written early reader versions of several myths as part of the Ready-To-Read series. These readers are divided into levels based on vocabulary, sentence length, subject, plot complexity, etc.

I'm not sure how many of these there are, but I have seen the one about the cyclops shown, as well as Pandora and the Trojan Horse, and both level 2 and level 3 books. These leveled readers are often a good place to start for beginning readers since the vocabulary and sentence complexity are controlled, so the reader is less likely to get overwhelmed or frustrated.

Greek Beasts and Heroes is a 12-book series by Lucy Coats that is ideal for newly independent readers. This series are a re-formatting of Coats' original compilation of Greek myths as told through the journey of Atticus in Atticus the Storyteller's 100 Greek Myths.

Each stand-alone book is a re-telling of one of the stories of Greek mythology in an 80 page book; the stories are short and the plots are simplified. There are color illustrations on every spread throughout the books.

Lucy Coats' newest series, Beasts of Olympus, tells the story of Demon (short for Pandemonium), the son of Pan who is summoned to Olympus to be the caretaker of the mythical beasts of the gods, with the promise of immortality. Demon finds his new role very challenging and the series follows his trials and tribulations dealing with mythical creatures and their owners.

The 5th book of the series was just released, with the 6th and final book due to be released in late August of 2016. While the reading level actually isn't lower than the Percy Jackson books, the length is much less intimidating and there are illustrations.

Think you already know the stories of Greek mythology?  Kate McMullan offers a very different version of the Greek myths in her series, Myth-O-Mania; each book is a parody of the original stories, told with a modern setting with Hades as the storyteller.

In Hades' versions, Zeus is portrayed as a liar and an opportunist and Hades is of course portrayed in a much more positive light. The original "hero" of the story is often portrayed as a fool who needs Hades' help completing his task. These stories are humorous with a modern twist, and there are even a few discussion questions at the end.

Beast Quest is a huge series written by many different authors under the publishing name "Adam Blade" about all different kinds of fantastical creatures. There are somewhere around 90 books in total, broken up into several sub-series within the Beast Quest series. 

These stories do not really follow classical mythology, but many of the beasts are inspired by creatures from classical mythology, such as the minotaur in the book shown. These are very short and engaging, and a very good choice for reluctant readers. My own son had no interest in reading at all until he came across this series in 3rd grade, then progressed to Percy Jackson, and now he is a voracious reader as a tween.

The Heroes In Training series by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams tell the stories of the Greek gods and heroes, but with a twist! In these stories, the gods and heroes are ten-year old children, who must discover their true identities and ultimately defeat their Titan enemies led by Cronus.

At this time, there are twelve books in the series, telling the stories of Zeus, Apollo, Ares, Hephaestus, Perseus, and more. These books a fair quick and easy to read, with modern language and a bit of tongue-in-cheek humor, with black-and-white illustrations as well. A bit of an irreverent take on the Greek myths that young readers will enjoy.

Holub and Williams also coauthored the Goddess Girls series which, similarly to their Heroes In Training series, re-tells the stories of Greek mythology with a modern, and slightly irreverent, twist. This series follows Athena, Persephone, Aphrodite, and Artemis through their teen years at Mount Olympus Academy, where Zeus is the principal. Various other gods and mortals from Greek mythology and other traditions appear as well. There are currently 20 books in this series, and they get longer as you progress through the series.

The young goddesses face many of the same issues navigating the difficult tween/teen society as kids do today, so this series is very relatable to tween girls and has been very popular at my library.

The Roman Mysteries by Caroline Lawrence is an historical fiction series set in ancient Rome. The series features four main characters:  Flavia, a Roman girl; Nubia, an African slave; Jonathan, a Christian Jew; and Lupus, a beggar who is mute. The four of them have adventures and solve mysteries in Rome, Greece, and beyond. There are 17 books in the series as well as several companion books.

While this series is not based on mythology, fans of mythology-based fiction would probably enjoy them because of the setting in the ancient Roman empire.

Thor's Wedding Day by Bruce Coville is the only book I came across for younger readers that is based on Norse mythology. It was inspired by the ancient Norse poem, Thrymskvitha. The giant Thrym has stolen Thor's hammer, leaving the gods vulnerable to attack, and Thor must do whatever it takes to get it back, even dress up as a woman and pose as Thrym's potential bride, and accept assistance from the goat boy.

This story is a hilarious take on Norse mythology with modern language that young readers are sure to enjoy.

For readers who have already read these and are ready for the longer and more complex stories of Percy Jackson and beyond, check out my list of Mythology-Based Fantasy/Adventure Series For Tweens & Teens.

Mythology-Based Fantasy/Adventure Series for Tweens & Teens

Mythology-Based Fantasy/Adventure for Tweens & Teens

Looking for something similar to Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson and the Olympians series?  Give these a try:

The most obvious choice is Riordan's second series, Heroes of Olympus.  The story continues from the first series, but with a twist.  This series takes on the Roman interpretation of the gods of Olympus and introduces new demi-gods born from the gods' Roman identities who have their own camp named Camp Jupiter.  Percy and his friends are in this series as well.

If you've already read the second series and love all the characters, then good news!  The first book of a third series called The Hidden Oracle will be released on May 3, 2016!  The Trials of Apollo series will follow the life of Apollo after being kicked out of Olympus and made mortal by Zeus and will feature most of the characters from the first two series.

In addition to the Percy Jackson novels, there are also all the companion books, non-fiction mythology books, and graphic novel versions that Rick Riordan has published as well.

Riordan also has a relatively new series based on Norse mythology, with a loose connection to Percy Jackson.  The first book in the Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard series, The Sword Of Summer, was released last fall.  This series features young Magnus Chase, the cousin of Annabeth Chase, who discovers he is the son of the Norse god, Frey.  The second book of the series, The Hammer of Thor, is due to be released in October, 2016.

And that brings us to the remaining Riordan series, The Kane Chronicles, based in Egyptian mythology.  This series features Sadie and Carter Kane, descendants of pharaohs, who have been raised apart but discover they must unite to battle the evil god Set and save the world.  

Now, moving on to other authors, we have Kate O'Hearn's Pegasus series. This is another fantasy/adventure in which a seemingly ordinary tween/teen finds out they have a connection to the gods, in this case the Roman gods of Olympus.  The series begins with an injured Pegasus crashing onto the roof of Emily's apartment in The Flame Of Olympus, changing her life forever and putting her in the middle of a battle to save Olympus.

Red Sun is the first book of new author Alane Adams' series, The Legends of Orkney, based on Norse mythology.  In the first book, young Sam Baron's normal life takes a strange turn as he discovers his mother is a witch, his missing father is a descendant of Odin, and he must return to the magical realm of Orkney to stop it's destruction by the curse of the red sun.  This is a little shorter and a little darker than Riordan's The Sword of Summer, and does not have the same character and plot development or humor.  The second book, Kalifus Rising, is due out in September of 2016.

The Blackwell Pages by K. L. Armstrong and M. A. Marr is another adventure series based in Norse mythology featuring young teens that are descendants of the gods; Matt Thorsen is a descendant of Thor, while Fen and Laurie Brekke are descended from Loki.  The difference in this series is that most of characters know all along that they are the descendants of the gods and that they have special powers, they just don't expect to be called up to unite and work together to save the world from destruction in Ragnarok.  I find this series to be more similar to Riordan's style than the Orkney series by Adams.  Another unique thing about this series is that there are illustrations, which might make it more appealing to reluctant readers.  The first book is titled Loki's Wolves.

Kate O'Hearn also has a series based in Norse mythology called Valkyrie, the story of young Freya, who does not look forward to turning 14 and beginning her duties as a Valkyrie, or Battle Maiden, reaper of the souls of the brave who die in battle.  On her first mission, a dying soldier who's last words send her to earth on a dangerous quest, where she learns what it is to be human.


The following are not as similar in style and plot to Percy Jackson as the series listed above, but also involve mythology, fantasy, and adventure:

The Cronus Chronicles series by Anne Ursu - Greek mythology
The Fire Thief trilogy by Terry Deary - Greek mythology
Pandora series by Carolyn Hennesy - Greek mythology
Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs - Greek mythology (for teens)
Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman - Norse mythology

And remember, to read more about the original mythologies, try the non-fiction section at your public library in the 291's & 292's.

Some additional fantasy/adventure novels and series that are not classical mythology, but have to do with mysticism, legends, myths, and other worlds that fans of mythology-based fiction might also enjoy are:

Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins
The Colussus Rises by Peter Lerangis
Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
The Sea of Trolls by Nancy Farmer
Ranger's Apprentice series by John Flanagan
Runemarks by Joanne Harris
The Akhenaten Adventure byP. B. Kerr
Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos by R. L. LaFevers
The Unwanteds Lisa McMann
Gods of Manhattan by Scott Mebus
Fablehaven by Brandon Mull
The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens
Middleworld by J & P Voelkel
City of Fire by Laurence Yep

I'll be doing a follow-up list of mythology-based fiction for younger readers next, so stay tuned...

Today At The Desk....

Today it was unusually busy at the desk.  Lots of families in and out and lots of questions, plus 3 different middle school classes.  The school groups were each in and out in 15 minutes, but it was a flurry of activity while they were here!  Hustling to select a book, then rushing to check out, and of course several of them didn't have their cards so I had to look them up.  Invariable, at least half of those also had accounts that had expired so I then had to renew them before they could check out.  But, I still managed to get them all checked-out in the few minutes they had.  Fortunately, the school groups all came through and were gone before things got really busy with other patrons.

After the school kids left, families started coming in and I ended up having a few reference questions.  One young girl was interested in learning American Sign Language, so I helped find some beginner books on ASL, and told that we also had DVD's, and that you can find videos online that show you how.  Then her sister decided she wanted to learn some Spanish, so I helped her find some Spanish vocabulary and conversation books. 

Later a kindergarten teacher came in looking for books about photosynthesis, and surprisingly, we didn't have any.  I really thought we would have at least one, but no.  So I looked through all the general plant books and found a couple that had some information about photosynthesis that would work for what she needed.  Then I had a daycare worker who wanted to find some traditional folk tales and nursery rhymes, and I helped him locate them and select the versions that were most appropriate for preschool-aged children.

I also had some patrons who needed reader's advisory, one looking for something similar to Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and another looking for a new series for a child who enjoyed Junie B. Jones.  I suggested Big Nate for the first, and Clementine or Judy Moody for the latter.  One of the students also needed some help selecting a fantasy for her required school reading, and I showed her a few different ones, and she ended up choosing one of Tamora Pierce's books.

Along with all of this, I had several patrons with simple directional or informational questions, a card renewal, several checkouts, pulled all the materials for holds or transfer, straightened up the shelves after the school groups blew through, and still managed to find time in between to cut out some things for storytime! 

I much prefer busy days like this!  For one, the time passes faster, but I really do enjoy interacting with patrons and helping people find the information and books they need.  I find it not only gratifying to be able to help so many people, but energizing as well. 

Middle-Grade Novels I Gave For Christmas - The Voracious Reader

My 8-year old niece presents a different challenge than her brother, the reluctant reader.  She loves to read, reads well above grade level, and finishes books very quickly.  She also does not have any strong interests like her brother, or specific genres that she likes (and probably has not been exposed to some).  Her mother suggested that she would like classics, but I also wanted to find books with characters she could relate to and identify with as the poor shy, neglected middle child who is always overshadowed by her 3 more out-going, boisterous, attention-seeking brothers, or that might inspire her to break out of her shell.  I originally intended to get her two books, but couldn't make up my mind, so went on and gave her three since I know she will read them.

Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery.  December 9, 2013 (originally published in 1908).  CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.  224 pages.  Ages 10 & up.

This well-known classic tells the story of Anne Shirley, a spirited 11-year old orphan who has been mistakenly sent from an orphanage in Nova Scotia to the Cuthbert farm on Prince Edward Island.  Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, middle-aged unmarried siblings who still live together on the family farm, had planned on taking in an orphaned boy who could help the aging Matthew with work on the farm.  But, Matthew is immediately taken by the lively, chatty, and imaginative Anne, and Marilla eventually agrees to let her stay.  The story follows over the next 5 years as Anne becomes very close to the Cuthberts and builds a life in Avonlea. 

This was a book the mom had suggested, but I wasn't sure that an 8-year old would be quite ready for it, even a very smart one.  I remember reading it and liking it as a child, but I'm not sure I was that young when I read it.  I also wasn't sure how relatable it would be to kids today.  But I figured it was worth a try, knowing she can always read it when she gets a little older if she's not quite ready for it yet.  And, if she does read it and likes it, then she has five more books in the series to follow Anne throughout her life, as well as 3 books about Anne's children. 

Eight Cousins by Louisa May Alcott.  September 1, 1995 (originally published in 1875).  Puffin Books (reissued). 320 pages.  Ages 10 & up.

13-year old Rose lost her mother when she was very young, and has now lost her beloved father as well.  She is sent to live with her extended family of aunts and uncles, and now finds herself the only girl in her generation of the family, surrounded by eight boy cousins.  Rose must learn how to make good choices and grow into a responsible and productive young woman.

My sister had first suggested Little Women for her daughter, which I loved as a child myself.  But, I thought Kat would be better able to relate to Rose, who is surrounded by boy cousins, than Jo March, who has three sisters.  I also like how Alcott promotes education for women, as well as an active, healthy lifestyle, and that women should have control over their assets and finances.  There is a sequel to this book that continues Rose's story into adulthood, Rose In Bloom, as well as the Little Women series, if she really enjoys Eight Cousins.

Matilda by Roald Dahl.  August 16, 2007  (originally published in 1988).  Puffin Books, reprint edition. 256 pages.  Ages 8-12.

In this story young Matilda is a very bright girl, born into a family that is nothing like her and doesn't appreciate her intellect.  Her parents are crass, uneducated, and have questionable ethics.  But Matilda discovers the public library and discovers all kinds of other worlds, facts, and information contained in the books.  She uses her intelligence to play pranks to get back at her father.

Eventually Matilda ends up at a school run by the cruel and evil Miss Trunchbull, who subjects the children and staff to all manner of abuse and ridicule.  Fed up with the Trunchbull, Matilda's anger leads to a wondrous discovery-she can make things move with the power of her mind!  Matilda uses her powers to drive away the evil Trunchbull, who is replaced by a kind and competent headmaster.  Matilda's parents have to skip town, and Matilda takes advantage of the situation and suggests they leave her to live with her beloved teacher, Miss Honey, to which they readily agree.

I felt like this story was probably the best choice of the three for my niece as it is more contemporary and has a very fun, lively story that celebrates a little, quiet girl with a powerful intellect, and it's a bit shorter.  I like the message of taking responsibility for your own education and not letting anyone hold you back; plus who doesn't like seeing the villain get what they deserve in the end.  And it promotes the public library system, another bonus!  Another reason I chose it is that it has just a bit of fantasy to test the waters to see how she likes it.  Roald Dahl has many more books with all different kinds of characters she can read if she likes this one. 

It is definitely helpful to find series with many installments when you have a voracious reader so you can stay one step ahead of them and keep them supplied with books.  Of course, you have to remember to start looking for a new series as they approach the end of the one they are one.  If it's a series that hasn't concluded yet, then it gives them something to look forward to with excitement as they wait for the next book to come out.  But of course you shouldn't overlook the many one-of gems that are out there, as well.

If you'd like to see what I chose for her older brother the reluctant reader, see my previous post, and if you'd like to see the zombie picture books I choose for her little brothers, see my post on my other blog, Adventures In Storytime.